Rotating Propeller Ion Thruster for High-Thrust Atmospheric Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion thrusters currently provide low thrust, making them unsuitable for launching spacecraft into orbit and impractical for use on Earth's surface due to high power requirements and low acceleration.
Innovation Solution
An ion thruster design featuring a discharge chamber with a rotatable propeller-shaped cathode and accelerator electrode, combined with electromagnetic coils generating a magnetic field, enhances ionization and acceleration, allowing for increased thrust by using compressed atmospheric air or gases like xenon, argon, and hydrogen, and enabling operation within Earth's atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If ion thrusters use high power to accelerate ions, then specific impulse is improved, but thrust and acceleration remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotatable propeller-shaped electrodes (cathode and accelerator) that dynamically move through rotation, creating a dynamic thrust enhancement mechanism. The rotation speed can be adjusted to optimize between specific impulse and thrust production, allowing the system to adapt its performance characteristics based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing rotational motion to the electrodes, which modifies the ion acceleration process. By controlling rotation speed and electrode configuration, the system can vary between high-specific-impulse mode and high-thrust mode, resolving the contradiction between these two performance metrics.
2Use of energy by moving object
If ion thrusters require high power supply mass, then energy capacity is improved, but device complexity and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller-shaped electrodes serve multiple functions: they emit electrons (cathode function), accelerate ions (accelerator function), and through rotation, they compress and pump propellant gas. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heavy components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and power supply mass requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of electron emission, ion acceleration, and propellant pumping into a single integrated propeller electrode system. By combining these functions into one rotating component, the design eliminates the need for separate heavy subsystems, reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If ion thrusters operate in vacuum, then ionization efficiency is improved, but adaptability to Earth's atmosphere worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating propeller electrodes create dynamic compression and pumping actions that actively manage propellant delivery to the discharge chamber. This dynamic mechanism allows the thruster to efficiently intake and process atmospheric air or other gases, enabling reliable operation in atmospheric conditions while maintaining ionization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating propeller electrodes act as an intermediary mechanism between the atmospheric environment and the ionization chamber. They compress and deliver atmospheric gas into the discharge chamber in a controlled manner, serving as a bridge that enables atmospheric operation while maintaining the vacuum-like conditions needed for efficient ionization.
4Power
If ion thrusters produce low thrust, then power consumption is reduced, but productivity and vehicle propulsion capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of rotational motion to the electrodes creates a dynamic thrust enhancement mechanism. The rotation generates additional forces through centrifugal effects and dynamic compression, significantly boosting thrust production without requiring proportional increases in power consumption, thereby improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating propeller electrodes create mechanical vibrations and pulsating compression waves in the propellant flow. These vibrations enhance the ionization process and ion acceleration efficiency, increasing thrust production while maintaining reasonable power consumption levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves sufficient thrust for powering vehicles on Earth and improving spacecraft propulsion, enabling more efficient and powerful engines for both terrestrial and space applications.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge cathode, shaped in a form of a propeller, for releasing electrons in the discharge chamber, thereby ionizing the propellant in the discharge chamber
Implementation Method 2
an ion thruster that comprises electromagnetic coils for generating a magnetic field inside the discharge chamber, wherein the electromagnetic coils are wound around the discharge chamber, thereby the electromagnetic coils enhance the degree of ionization and increase the acceleration rate of the ions inside the discharge chamber
Implementation Method 3
an accelerator electrode, shaped in a form of a propeller, for accelerating the ions towards the one direction of the outflow opening
Implementation Method 4
the discharge cathode is rotatable around an axis, thereby propelling inward to the discharge chamber the propellant thereof
Implementation Method 5
the accelerator electrode is rotatable around an axis, thereby propelling outward from the discharge chamber the ions and neutral atoms thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An ion thruster, comprising: a discharge chamber for accelerating ions towards one direction; an inflow opening for intake of a propellant into the discharge chamber; a discharge cathode, shaped in a form of a propeller, for releasing electrons in the discharge chamber, thereby ionizing the propellant in the discharge chamber, wherein the discharge cathode is rotatable around an axis, thereby propelling inward to the discharge chamber the propellant thereof; an outflow opening for exhausting the ions from the discharge chamber; and an accelerator electrode, shaped in a form of a propeller, for accelerating the ions towards the one direction of the outflow opening, wherein the accelerator electrode is rotatable around an axis, thereby propelling outward from the discharge chamber the ions and neutral atoms thereof; wherein the ion thruster comprises electromagnetic coils for generating a magnetic field inside the discharge chamber.